According to Iran Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi, a monkey was launched in a capsule called Pishgam (Pioneer) to an altitude of 75 miles. The monkey returned safely and the capsule was intact.

"This success is the first step towards man conquering the space and it paves the way for other moves," said Vahidi. "Today's successful launch follows previous successes we had in launching (space) probes with other living creatures (on board). The monkey, which was sent in this launch, landed safely and alive and this is a big step for our experts and scientists."

The Islamic republic has sent other animals into space, such as worms, rats and turtles, but this is the first time a monkey was sent successfully on a sub-orbital flight. An attempt was made with a monkey in 2011, but the mission failed for reasons unknown.

However, it successfully sent three satellites into orbit, including Omid in 2009, Rassad in 2011 and Navid in 2012.

Iran hopes to send a human to space in 2020.

This will likely make Western nations nervous, as they've accused Iran of secretly developing ballistic missiles. The same technology used for the rockets can be used for ballistic missiles.

It looks like about 49% of countries still have the death penalty on the books for a host of crimes that vary from country to country.

The USofA has a progressive court system and rigorous appeal process for convicted persons. And many individual US states have abolished the death penalty. The USofA will also agree not to apply the death penalty to cases where extradition is required and the country from which they are being extradited has a ban on the death penalty. Also there is an active and effective anti-death penalty movement in the USofA. I will freely admit that in the past the death penalty in the USofA was abused and innocent people were executed. The reality today is much different, with much of the argument as to whether people charged with capital offenses are receiving competent and effective defense from their attorneys. Number of executions in the USofA last year: 43

Please make this any of these arguments for the country of Iran. Where people can be executed for various and sundry offenses that are largely religious in nature or simply because they are annoying or embarrassing the the people in power. Number of executions in Iran last year: 360+

While the USofA is not the icon of virtue many hold it to be it is not the beacon of religious zealotry, savagery, intolerance, and in general seventh century thinking that Iran prides itself on.